Burglary/Shop Lifting

Burglary has traditionally been defined as breaking and entering into the dwelling of another at nighttime, with the intent to commit a felony. Although this is the traditionally definition of burglary, the elements of burglary now vary from state to state. Additionally, in many states, the definition of burglary has been expanded to include entry into any form of building or structure, vehicle, or vessel used as a resident, at any time of day or night, with the intent to commit theft or another crime.

Although the possible sentences for burglary convictions differ widely among different states, convictions come with several possible penalties. Penalties include, but are not limited to the following:

Jail or Prison time – A conviction can bring a range of prison or jail sentences. If you are convicted of a felony burglary offense, you may face a potential sentence that exceeds one year in a state prison. However, this varies widely on the state and in some cases, a conviction of felony burglary can result in up to 20 years, or more in prison. A misdemeanor charge can be significantly lower.

Fines – Burglary offenses can be accompanied by significant fines. Although burglary fines depend on the state, a fine ca be up to $100,00 or more for a felony burglary. However, misdemeanor burglary fines are usually less than $1,000.00.

In some cases, you may be ordered to pay restitution or you may receive a probation sentence in some burglary cases.

Shoplifting is the criminal action of stealing goods from a shop while pretending to be a customer.

Someone who is caught shoplifting runs the risk of facing civil or criminal penalties, or both. A person who has multiple prior offenses may also face more stringent penalties.

Shoplifting charges

Shoplifting charges can be misdemeanor or felony charges.

Petty Theft: Petty Theft is the theft of goods valued at less than $950.00. If you are arrested for a petty theft, you are likely facing misdemeanor charges; however, some instances of petty theft may only be charged as infractions.

Grand Theft: Grand Theft is the theft of goods valued at $950.00 or more, or the theft of a firearm. If you are arrested for grand theft, you are likely facing misdemeanor charges, or felony charges.

If you or someone you know may be facing burglary or shoplifting charges, it is important to know your options. To ensure that you have the best possible outcome in either a burglary case or shoplifting case, Sethi Law Group recommends that you consult with a qualified and experienced attorney.

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